A House Republican who has been at the forefront of transparency efforts around the Jeffrey Epstein files ia planning to display her support for the late convicted sex offender's victims during Trump's State of the Union, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Trump isn't expected to mention Epstein during the address, but Democrats are trying to ensure the issue looms large Tuesday night.
- Scores of Democrats have announced plans to bring Epstein accusers — or their family members, in some cases — as guests to the speech.
- They include House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and House Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
- The Democratic Women's Caucus is also handing out "release the files" pins for members and Epstein accusers to wear. "I think most of us are wearing it," Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) told Axios.
What we're hearing: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told Axios she is "wearing Virginia Giuffre Roberts' butterfly pin her brother gave me yesterday," Mace said Tuesday.
- Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, was one of Epstein's most prominent accusers.
The intrigue: A source had told Axios that Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) were planning to sit together on the Democratic side of the chamber near the aisle, but those plans appear to have been scuttled.
- Massie instead sat on the Republican side with Mace, while Khanna sat on the Democratic side.
- "This is my view tonight at the State of the Union from the Republican side of the aisle," Massie posted on X shortly before the speech.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Massie sat on the Republican side of the chamber.
